On April 16, Tyrone Perkins assumed an unwritten responsibility.

He became the first player to verbally commit to Syracuse for 2015, welcoming the task of getting others to follow.

Since then, seven others have joined Perkins — a two-sport star at Friends (N.Y.) Academy — in the Orange’s Class of 2015, and the running back has already begun fostering camaraderie with his fellow commits.

The close-knit community at Syracuse was a major factor in his college decision, and he’s working to continue that with his group.

“I think it’s a good thing (to get to know the other commits),” Perkins said. “It’s nice that we all have some sort of bond right now.

“When we are at school together it will just get stronger.”

Before committing to SU, Perkins rushed for 1,029 yards on 91 carries, along with 24 touchdowns during his junior season, according to his highlight tape on Hudl.com.

“He’s an absolute monster,” Friends Academy quarterback Corey Goldglit said. “There’s nobody on any level with him in any division that we play.”

Once Perkins committed, he set the foundation for a Syracuse recruiting class that has now grown to eight commits, including him.

Last summer was critical for SU in its quest to build a stronger offense through recruiting, and it hauled in 12 total recruits before Sept. 9. The summer verbal commits for the Class of 2014 included wide receivers K.J. Williams and Corey Cooper, as well as quarterback A.J. Long.

Since Perkins was the first player to commit to the next class and did so prior to the summer, he realizes the responsibility to jumpstart another strong recruiting summer.

“I guess you could say it was a goal (to set the foundation for a strong class),” Perkins said. “In order for (the program) to be the best, we need to get the best players.”

Joining Perkins as verbal pledges thus far have been running back Jordan Fredericks, cornerbacks Gerald Robinson and Davante Davis, offensive linemen Cody Conway, Sam Clausman and Colin Byrne, along with defensive end Dana Levine.

Perkins didn’t directly talk to any of the other commits before they pledged, but now that he knows seven of his future teammates he’s beginning to build relationships with them.

And as verbal commitments continue to roll in Perkins will work to create the Syracuse he envisioned when he pledged in April.

“Syracuse hit some important chords for him,” Friends Academy head coach Ron Baskind said. “They really played the family aspect, which is important for him.”

But before he arrives on campus next fall, Perkins is preparing for one more season at Friends Academy.

He’s been working with a personal trainer this summer. He said he sees his trainer every day for workouts that feature agility drills, deadlifts and squats.

Goldglit said Perkins is always inviting teammates to work out with him and his trainer at his house, always striving to make the team better.

“He really lifts everybody up, so with every success, he builds momentum for us,” Baskind said. “He infuses that into the rest of the guys, so they’re up for playing bigger than they are.”

And while Perkins leads his high school teams on the gridiron and hardwood, he’ll continue to foster relationships with his fellow verbal commits.

When Perkins pledged to Syracuse, he was on his own.

Now he and seven others will look to grow the Orange’s class.

Published on May 27, 2014 at 6:15 pm

Contact Matt: [email protected] | @matt_schneidman